Our Team

  • Fatuma-Ayaan Rinderknecht

    Dr. Fatuma-Ayaan Rinderknecht | Co-Founder

    I grew up in Davis, CA and attended Harvard University for my undergraduate degree where I concentrated in Human Evolutionary Biology with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. I am currently a 3rd year medical student at UCSF. I am very passionate about dermatology, and completed a Master of Science degree, where I researched the barriers to care faced by patients with Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), which is a dermatological disease that disproportionately affects women and African Americans. My other research interests include topics at the intersection of dermatology and health disparities and increasing diversity in medicine. I co-founded a mentorship program for undergraduate students who come from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine. I started Celebrating the Skin We’re In because as a Black woman who is interested in dermatology, I was acutely aware of the racial disparities that affect the field.

    Favorite skin care item: Sunscreen! My favorite no-white cast sunscreens are EltaMD, Supergoop, Blackgirl Sunscreen

  • Semhar Teklu

    Semhar Teklu | Logistics Coordinator

    I am a Staff Research Associate in a cancer immunotherapy lab and am currently completing post baccalaureate classes before applying to medical school.

    Something you use daily: Sunscreen

  • Karen Vo

    Dr. Karen Vo | Research Chair

    I am currently an PGY1 resident and graduated from Touro California College of Osteopathic Medicine. I was born and raised in SoCal and went to UCLA and obtained a degree in Biochemistry. My research and community outreach activities revolve around health equity, patient advocacy, and health education in dermatology. I hope Celebrating the Skin We're In can help alleviate these disparities in our youth today.

    Something I use daily: Sunscreen! I get sun damage easily and it helps prevent it!

  • Brianna Johnston

    Brianna Johnston | Social Media Coordinator

    I’m a senior studying Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley. One of my passions is assisting those who are underserved. That is why I am doing a College Corps fellowship where I get to work at an historically black high school, McClymonds, where I have the incredible opportunity to work directly with Black girls, providing mentorship and tutoring. I'm also passionate about mental health and currently working on mindfulness research at UCSF. Therefore, I have a wide range of interests, but they all stem from a desire to increase access to treatment and give back to a community that has historically been neglected by medicine. That is why I am interested in racial disparities in dermatology and hope to inform students from underserved communities on dermatologic skin health disparities.

    Favorite skin care item: PanOxyl! I absolutely love it. It treats acne and is great for my sensitive skin.

  • Kristen Enriquez | Co-President

    I am a medical student at UCSF, originally from Southern California. I attended Yale University, where I majored in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. My interest in dermatology began while working at the UCSF Breast Care Center, where I explored oncodermatology and saw firsthand how dermatologists can improve the lives of patients undergoing chemotherapy—addressing changes to their skin, hair, nails, and sense of self. I am passionate about health education, mentorship, and health equity. I am excited to be part of Celebrating the Skin We're In to help reduce disparities in dermatology, provide health education to students from underserved communities, and mentor students from diverse backgrounds.

    Favorite skincare product: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-in Milk Sunscreen

  • Kaitlyn Hsu | Co-President

    I am a current medical student at UCSF with a passion for community engagement and health education. I am excited about being a part of Celebrating the Skin We're In and furthering its mission of improving access to dermatology knowledge to improve skin health and reduce disparities in dermatology. Through CTSWI, I hope to facilitate the enrichment of health literacy for students of all ages in underserved and minority groups to learn how to take care of and protect their skin as well as inspire a diverse future generation of physicians and dermatologists!

    Favorite skincare product: Etude Soon Jung 2x Barrier Intensive Cream (still looking for my favorite sunscreen!)

  • Asmaa Mahoui | Health Educator

    Hello! My name is Asmaa and I'm currently a 3rd year medical student at UCSF. My interests lie in dermatologic health equity, global health, and patient advocacy which also was the focus of my Master's research at UC Berkeley School of Public Health. Outside of medical school, I love to play tennis, read fantasy books, spend time at the beach, and eat spicy food with friends and family.

    Favorite skincare product: Vanicream moisturizer

  • Grecia Ortiz Flores | Curriculum Coordinator

    I am currently a medical student at UCSF in the PRIME-US program, dedicated to serving urban underserved communities. I grew up in the Bay Area (California), I witnessed firsthand the barriers to healthcare that disproportionately affect underserved communities. My passion for dermatology is deeply rooted in my commitment to addressing health disparities, particularly those affecting skin of color. My research has focused on pruritus and inflammation in Prurigo Nodularis, a condition that disproportionately impacts skin of color. I firmly believe that everyone deserves to feel comfortable in their skin, and that educating young minds can create a meaningful impact. Through my work, I strive to improve dermatologic care for marginalized communities by increasing awareness, education, and access to treatment. I hope to use my career to advocate for health equity and ensure that all patients receive the dermatologic care they deserve.

    Favorite skincare product: Vitamin C, it makes my sunscreen more potent and brightens my skin.

  • Gabrielle Arkema | Health Educator

    I am a first year medical student at UCSF from Washington, D.C. I went to Case Western Reserve University for undergrad and majored in both Medical Anthropology and Biology. After graduating in 2023, I spent my gap year working as a medical assistant in a dermatology clinic in my hometown. I had the opportunity to work in a clinic that served a predominantly-Black area and learned how essential dermatology care is to both physical and mental health. As a part of CTSWI, I want to continue empowering people to care for their skin and advocate for preventative dermatology care!

    Favorite skincare product: Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream

  • Flora Wong | Health Educator

    I am a medical student at the UCSF School of Medicine, originally from Southern California. For undergrad, I went to UC San Diego and studied biochemistry/chemistry and global health. My interests within dermatology include health equity, community health, technology in healthcare access, and medical education. As part of CTSWI, I am excited to bridge gaps in health education/literacy and reduce disparities in dermatologic care access among the underserved. In addition to teaching students, I hope to learn from these communities about their lived experiences and challenges. I believe that this exchange of knowledge will be invaluable in shaping more equitable and inclusive healthcare practices. Lastly, I hope to foster students' curiosity about the world of medicine and hopefully inspire another generation of future dermatologists!

    Favorite skincare product: Elta MD Sunscreen

  • Vivian Yang | Curriculum Coordinator

    Hi! My name is Vivian and I'm an MS3 at UCSF. Outside of school, I love to eat, cook, thrift, play tennis, and hang out with my cat and German Shepherd.

    Favorite skincare product: EltaMD sunscreen

  • Savinnie Ho | Health Educator

    Hi everyone! I am Savinnie and I am a first year medical student in the UC Berkeley-UCSF Joint Medical Program. I am passionate about health equity and expanding access to resources to promote health literacy. I love teaching and have worked with elementary to high school students in previous roles. I am excited to work with students across the Bay Area to learn more about skin health and celebrate the skin we're in!

    Favorite skincare product: Fresh Soy Cleanser

  • Miranda Chen | Health Educator

    I am a medical student at UCSF who is originally from Palo Alto, California. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a degree in Molecular and Cell Biology. My passions lie in dermatology and its intersections with patient well-being and quality of life, community health, and health education. As part of CTSWI, I am excited to provide education on skin, nail, and hair health to underserved youth communities, with the goal of helping individuals feel more confident in themselves and empowered to take better care of their own skin. Moreover, I hope to provide underserved youth with early exposure to science, medicine, and dermatology, in the hopes of fostering their interest and encouraging them to consider future career options in these fields where greater representation is critical to addressing health inequities.

    Favorite skincare product: EltaMD UV Clear Face Sunscreen